Gonzo

Gonzo, you haven't seen the Bird Lady in 15 years? Maybe she flew the coop?

The spaghetti monster got her. LOL

This lady used to come in all the time. But that was about 15 or more years ago.

This next story is dedicated to my two lovely daughters. Amanda Sue and Katrina Lee ... They reminded me about this lady sometime ago and told me I should write this story for them... enjoy...

The Bird Lady

This lady was weird. Hmm, not a great way to start a story now is it.

But, it’s true. This lady was a weird as it gets. The name “bird lady” was actually from my daughters. They nicknamed this gal after a couple of trips to the shop to see what old dad was up too.

On many occasions that the girls would come to visit good old dad during working hours, this car would be at the shop. There were always bird cages in the back seat, feathers everywhere, and bird droppings all over the place. Turns out, that the lady owned an exotic pet store somewhere in town. She never carried a purse it was always a “Wal-Mart” plastic shopping bag. She dressed like a bag lady, most of the time in a funky 80’s style coat with a frumpy crochet hat with kaleidoscope colors. To talk to this lady made you wonder if she wasn’t coo-coo herself, always off in her own little world, all by her lonesome.

She would come in on a regular basis to have general maintenance done. Oil change one day; check the tire pressure on another trip, so on and so on. One particular time in the shop she was there to have a leaking valve cover gasket replaced. She waited up front in the lobby while we finished the job in the shop. Most of the time she was too nervous to just sit and wait for the work to be done. She would wander around the lobby looking at things or pop in and out of the door checking on her car... this time she just sat there.

As I walked through the front office for something I noticed her sitting there in the lobby reading a book while crunching down on pieces of raw spaghetti noodles. You could hear the crunch from a block away. Crunch, crunch, crunch, went the noodles, as if it was an automatic reflex with her. She would start off with a full length piece and then would quickly munch it down to nothing. Over and over again she would do this.

I just shook my head and went back to the business at hand. Soon we had the work completed and I went up front to finish out the invoice.

You know, it’s impolite to ask people what they are doing munching on noodles like that. I’m no doctor or chef… but this can’t be good for you.

I just had to ask, “What’s with the noodles, you seem to like them.”

“Oh, I’m on a diet,” she said, “It keeps my mind off of eating and I feel full all the time then. Works great, I haven’t put on a pound since I started this.”

Had to ask, “So when did you start this diet?”

“Today.” She answered.

OK then, ....I’ll just finish this invoice and send this lady back to her little nest. I really don’t want to ask her anymore questions. Oh, I’ve got plenty, but, I ain’t asking.

“Would you like to try it?” She asked me.

“No,… no, that’s OK,” I told her, “I’m fine, wife and I are having spaghetti tonight. Thanks for asking though.”

I told this story to my wife when I got home. She couldn’t place the lady’s face until I mentioned that this is the lady the girls called the bird lady.

I think the nickname fits. If you could have seen this spaghetti eating champ at work… you would have thought she had gone to the birds too.

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Old is New

What’s the main reason for trading in that old piece of iron with four wheels? Hands down, its repair costs. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone come into the repair shop and tell me, “Oh, I think I’m going to sell my car this week. I’m not happy with the color.” Excluding the obvious reasons for getting rid of your iron steed, such as it was in an accident and is beyond repair, company cars, and leased vehicles or over worked rentals. That stills leaves a large number of cars simply traded in for untold reasons. Chances are it’s because something needed repaired and the previous owner didn’t want to deal with it.

So, how did most of these cars end up needing such costly repairs? Number one, lack of maintenance. Number two, lack of expertise in repairing and maintaining them, or a combination of both. Then again, you could have just forgotten to have the car checked out on a regular basis. You might be one of those people who have never read the section in the owner’s manual under “scheduled maintenance”, or assume that maintenance consists of filling the fuel tank up when it’s on empty, and you shouldn’t have to worry about your car until that little light comes on.

But, like a lot of procrastinators, when you finally get around to an oil change and the mechanic comes back with a list of repairs you need to have done, you’re taken aback and can’t imagine how the car you drove into the shop is now in need of such major surgery. Depending on the situation you could be rather calm about it and realize he’s just there to help you, or you could be like the crazed lane swapper who flew by you on the turnpike and consider it a bogus up sell scam and blow the guy off.

Let’s just suppose we’re one of those crazed lane changers who just zooms from here to there with no care as to the condition of the car and see how this scenario plays out at the repair shop. Time passes, maybe a month or two, and sure enough those motor mounts and lower control arm bushing you were warned about have now turned your car into a swimming fish on the highway. However, you’ve let it go and considered the whole thing as “it’s just an old car”. Suddenly one morning while pulling out of the garage, you hear a loud bang as you put it into reverse. Then, a cloud of vapor spews from under the hood. You shrug it off, and head on to work, already running late.

On the way to work you notice the air conditioning isn’t coming on. Now that ranks up there in importance as much as the radio. Better get it into the repair shop, because we all know the air conditioning is way more important than all that stuff the mechanic told you about.

You make an appointment at a different repair shop, (of course) because the first one was rude and tried to up sell you a bunch of things you didn’t need. This ‘new’ shop is unaware of the other issues. All you said to them was, “The air conditioning isn’t working, and I saw smoke coming from under the hood.”

The repair shop checks under the hood. “Well, there’s your problem,” one technicians says to another. The front motor mount has completely sheared off, the rear mount is hanging on by a thread, and the upper wishbone mount is completely useless. As the motor rocked back and forth it eventually snapped the aluminum lines to the air conditioning.

The shop calls the customer and asked if they kept any records from previous repairs, which of course, they do. That would be the jumbled and crumbled pile of papers stuffed into the glove box. Nice…. Eventually, the mechanic finds the invoice showing the declined work and even more news about the lower control arm bushings being bad.

Now, avoiding any regular maintenance and advice from the previous shop has just raised a dilemma. Make these costly repairs…or sell it? At this point, when I’m behind the counter, I hear things like, “If I fix this you know something else is going to wrong.” or “What’s the car going to be worth after I put all this money into it?”, or “Do only part of the repair, ‘cause I’m not going to keep the car very much longer.” And the granddaddy of them all, “I can get it done cheaper down the street.”

Think of it this way, your personal safety and the wellbeing of the people who ride in your car is at the fate of the cheapest made products that in some resemblance bears the likeness of a good quality component. Then, you’re going to have a second rate repair shop perform the repair. Instead of putting your trust into a qualified and certified repair person, who more than likely has a higher labor rate than the rocket scientist you’re planning on taking your car to, you’re willing to risk the safety of others based on your pocket book. What you should be doing is asking, “So what’s the game plan here? What do I need to do right now, and what can wait on and I save up for? I’m trusting you (the shop and the mechanic) to take care of my car.”

The question is: Is this car destined to be an old new car, or is it going to be a used car with problems? Most anything can be maintained and/or repaired back to a new driving condition. There are limitations of course. I’ve seen so many cars being tossed away by their owners due to the costs of repairs. Such as an engine swap or for as little as HID headlights that need replaced. Things do wear out and do need servicing. But, if the maintenance is done on time and every time, and any issues as serious as a new engine that do arise it’s still cheaper than a new car off the show room floor.

Aside from poor workmanship, which is usually associated with cheaper repair shops and cheap parts, a car can be kept in working condition long after the last payment is made. The problem I’ve seen over the years is not too many people are willing to keep up with the maintenance, or worse yet, waste their hard earned repair dollars at those cheaper shops with poor results.

When our friend, the crazed lane changer deems his car beyond repair, its destiny is to the used car lot or auction. Then, it picks up a few new parts and a bit of polish, and is given the new title of program car, pre-owned vehicle or like one used car lot calls them, “Experienced autos”. But, even then you can’t expect it to work like new without doing the maintenance.

 

All cars are used once they leave the show room. See your local professional mechanic; they can make it right. Old is new when it’s repaired correctly.

 

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Gonzo here is the key words for me in this article, "mechanics are basing their skill levels on cars from years past". Every time I get an applicant for a job they tell me all the stuff they have done on cars and know how to do. It is always old technology nuts and bolts. It is never new technology computers, scanners, and diag skills. Good article.

That's pretty much the thoughts I had while writing this article. So many guys are out in the work place that have no intention and no desire to learn the newer technical stuff. Oh, they'll try and bluff their way through it all... but it doesn't take long before they're way over their heads.

 

The big issue is that there are a LOT more of these type of mechanics out there than the average person even realizes. These are the guys that makes it tough to charge for diagnostics, get the required hours to be billed for repairs, and worst of all... give those who are doing things correctly that "ear tag" of rip offs and "all mechanics are alike".

 

What I see (after all the years I've been doing this) is that most people tend to ask for prices on repairs and base where they are going to get their car serviced on the assumption that price is the only factor. I probably get a dozen calls a week that ask, "How much" ... and you can guess the usual outcome.

gonzo: I agree with you, it's a lot more to do when repairing modern cars and the like today!More time is spend diagnosing then it used to be and for good reasons.

This story is a result of dealing with a few "wanna-be" mechanics that often show up at my shop. They just know enough to be dangerous and that 06 Chevy pickup was just one of many they've brought in.

 

Just cause it fits, just cause you like fixin' cars, and just cause you got a box of tools.... don't make ya a mechanic... just cause.

Back in the Future

Who remembers carburetors? Or, the first years of fuel injection systems? How about the first cars with computers in them? They all seem old news these days. In fact, the modern car has far surpassed those early attempts of bringing the family car into the future of modern electronics. Back then, it was futuristic, stupendous, and more than a little intimidating to the old school mechanics of the time. That’s where advanced training brought everyone up to speed.

I’ve been around long enough to see all these changes, and have had to adapt my personal “expertise” to those ever changing systems just to stay up with what the customers are bringing in for repairs. As one customer told me, “It’s like going back in the future of old car technology when you work on those older models.” I’d have to agree. Working on those early systems takes an entirely different diagnostic approach than the modern car.

Today’s cars require a lot more diagnostic time and varied equipment to perform some of the basic and essential tasks that a few tweaks of wrench used to do. For example: “Cam to Crank correlation” or “Passenger presence reset” never existed years ago. But, now it’s as common place to program or calibrate engine and/or body components as it was to adjust the idle on a carburetor. These calibrations or programming issues can either be in regards to getting the car to run correctly, or to get a system such as the air bags to operate without having that silly service light glowing back at ya.

Even with all these modern tools, techniques, and scanners there are still things that happen because of some previous work improperly done. The difference is how the computers in the modern car interpret those incorrect parts or faulty workmanship. In the past, without computers getting in the way, things either worked or they didn’t, but now the communication between the different control modules can lead to entirely different circumstances than I think the engineers could have ever anticipated. Sometimes a signal blocks the entire data stream and the car won’t start or multiple systems won’t work. Other times it’s a battery drain brought on by plugging the wrong connector into the wrong socket.

In years past I’ve had cars come in from body shops, or off the street right after a customer bought it, and a different rear hatch or door was installed. Now something related to that hatch or door isn’t working. Could be the brake lights, or a power window, or anything else connected to the replacement piece. 9 chances out of 10 the door or hatch fits perfectly, painted perfectly, and closes or opens just like it’s supposed to. But, the wiring harness in the door is different. It’s usually a part off a different year or a vehicle equipped with a different option package.

The last one was a ‘06 Chevy 3500 with the wrong door on the d. side. The customer didn’t bring it in because the door was wrong, he brought it in because the battery kept going dead overnight. The problem was the door wiring. It had an earlier model door on it, but whoever installed and painted the door made the assumption since the door connected to the service box all was good. Not a chance. The power window would work, but the wiring and terminal positions for the door ajar and door speaker were completely different. Thus, the BCM never saw a signal that the door was ever opened. This left the radio on, and worse yet, there was a crossed up signal through the speaker wiring, causing the BCM to never allow the system to go into its sleep mode.

Now, that same kind of problem wouldn’t have happened on a truck 10 or 20 years older. They didn’t use a computer to determine the door position, just a jam switch. But, ya can’t dwell on the way it was done in the past; ya gotta get back in the future with the scanner to check these systems. These older models are nothing like today’s models. Needless to say, today’s mechanic (and bodyshop techs) have to be more aware of the complexities of the various systems, and not assume it’s correct, “Cause it fits”.

The modern vehicle is more computer than ever before. Now with the hybrids and full electric vehicles getting more and more popular, I’m sure there will be many issues for modern technicians to deal with. And, let’s not forget about the autonomous car. Just wait until they’re in the mainstream of the repair shop and body shops.

The days of the stereotypical high school dropout who starts pumping gas and eventually starts turning wrenches is all but a memory. The job and the qualification for the modern mechanic is more of a college graduate with a PHD than the stereotypical grease monkey. Times are changing, and so are the challenges in the automotive repair industry. It takes a lot more than wrenches and hanging parts to fix these modern cars.

 

Whenever I’m asked by someone whether or not their son or daughter should take up the trade of auto repair I tell them, “Absolutely, if they like cars that’s even better, but liking cars and working on them are two different subjects entirely.” What I find is most start up mechanics are basing their skill levels on cars from years past. Most of the paying customers who come into today’s repair shops have long given up, and have purchased those cars with newer technologies in them. I commend anybody who likes working on cars and has had experience on the older models, but if you really want to be a modern mechanic... ya need to get back in the future.

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Study the strategies and concepts of grass roots marketing.

 

Get out there, shake hands and kiss babies. You're a politician, campaigning for your own political group! If they like you and know what you do, your name is half done... GET OUT AND MAKE SOME FRIENDS... IT'S FREE!!!

 

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

Yes ABSOLUTELY! I've been a member of a tips group for years. One for nearly 20 years. It has one of any type of business, but only one. So, I was the only repair shop allowed in. Well worth the dues.

 

I'm also in a golf "tips" group that meet once a month. But it's not for the golf outings, it's for the other businesses that are members that I'm there for. and I want their cars in my shop. And, they do.

 

Over the years I've paid the dues, gone to the meetings, shook hands, and kiss the babies. It really works.

More so than the ASA meetings ever did.

Hello all,

 

We are trying to expand our customer base as business is slow now. In a addition to advertising through social media, we are exploring different automotive associations/groups to join.

 

I came across ASA (Automotive Service Association) and would like to know if anyone is already a member and if its worth it since membership itself is about $625/yr.

 

Do you get many customers or referrals from joining such organizations?

 

 

Any other suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

 

Nick

CA Auto Group

I was a member back in the 90's and paid the dues, never got anything out of it. Then a year or two ago I decided to take another look at it. Paid the dues and got on their mailing list. They had a meeting every month usually with somebody coming in to speak at the meeting. What got me was each meeting costs you. Yes, even after paying the dues each meeting ran anywhere from 20 bucks to 40 dollars. I'm mean ... really... what was the initial dues for then? A sign, a few door stickers? I let my membership expire. Haven't renewed it since.

 

Your results maybe different, but I'm not seeing any value in it at this time.

Oh, there is a reduced fee for the Chrysler yearly on line tech stuff, and some sort of health insurance deal, but neither of them was a big incentive as far as I was concerned.

 

 

I was golfing last weekend, (like that ain't nothin' new) and one of the guys asked, "So, what's this weekends story about?" So, I told him. He said he wasn't superstitious at all. Then, at the next hole which was a par 3 over a huge lake he ceremoniously tosses a cheap ball into the water before he takes his shot. Said, "That way I know my shot won't land in the water." I think he's a bit superstitious, but he ain't going to admit it.

7 Years of Bad Luck

Black cats, a rabbits foot, a 4 leaf clover, the number 13, avoiding stepping on cracks, and always take the driver’s front tire off first. Ok, I’ve heard most of these superstitions, but the tire thing? What’s that all about? Well, there are some of us mechanics who have a few superstitions just like baseball players, sailors and the like. A lot of mechanics won’t admit it, or don’t think they are superstitious, but we all know you are.

Whether it’s a lucky screwdriver, a special place you always lay the air ratchet, or maybe how you organize your tool box there’s bound to be something in the way of a superstition somewhere among that pile of tools. Shy of calling out the witchdoctors to dance clockwise around a car while carrying a dead chicken and chanting some sort of low baritone incantation before every diagnostic procedure, I think it’s safe to say there are more than a few superstitions in the of auto repair biz.

 

I’m not one to think I’m even the least bit superstitious (knock on wood). I just don’t believe in that stuff, because I’m not superstitious. OK, OK, my wife says I am, and points out my flaws all the time, even if I won’t admit it. For instance, I won’t start a car after I’ve done a bunch of work on the engine, unless I’ve left at least one tool under the hood. After it’s started and checked out, then and only then will I pick up all my tools. Superstitious, you say? Maybe, or it could be because even after I’ve put everything back together something may or may not be as perfect as it should be. At least then, when I have to redo something, all the tools are still right where they need to be. But, you can bet even if I finished a job and I know everything is right, I’m still going to leave at least one tool under there … just in case.

I’ve watched techs nervously cross their fingers or keep their eyes shut while turning the key for the first time on a new motor they just rebuilt. (Usually followed by a sigh of relief and a couple of Yahoo’s! or the other, and we all know what that would be.) Or the guy who would never put a car in his service bay when the car color had the same first letter of that day of the week. (Totally weird. He eventually quit, and now works on forklifts instead. Yellow is a good color for him.) I once worked with a tech who wouldn’t start a repair unless he had a pocket screwdriver, for fear it would jinx him without it. It didn’t matter if he was just changing a battery or scanning for codes, that pocket screwdriver had to be in his pocket. As a joke, a couple of us hid all this guy’s pocket screwdrivers, and then watched him beg and plead to borrow one. Cruel, but it was still pretty funny anyway.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a full moon, a rainy day, a black cat that just walked across your service bay, or perhaps the color of the car there’s bound to be one guy or gal who has some premonition that something isn’t going to go right for them. Why, I’ve even heard of some mechanics (and shops) that won’t answer the shop phone if it rings the very second they unlock the doors. They’ll let somebody else get it or wait for them to call back. I guess they don’t want to start their day off with a complaint, or they just think it’s bad luck to do so. Nevertheless, it’s still sounds like a superstition to me. From the gardener to the baker everybody and every trade has their own superstitions.

We’ve probably all heard of the baseball players who won’t change their socks, or wear the same jersey during a play off, or football players who always have to tap the sign over the door as they go onto the field. It’s just one more of those wacky superstitions that keep showing up. Even the golfing great Jack Nicklaus had his own superstitions. He wouldn’t play unless he had three pennies in his left pocket during a round of golf. Sailors used to watch the sky, and if it was red in the morning, sailor take warning. Then there is the old “knock on wood” that to this day I still see people do. Superstitious? Sure, or perhaps a quirky habit? Who’s to say? Then again, it might just be to what degree we carry our personal superstitions in public that separates us from the completely insane or just being a little wacky. Except for breaking a mirror. That might really be 7 years of bad luck. I broke one about 5 years ago and the wife still hasn’t left me off the hook for it.

So how superstitious are you? I’ve consulted my horoscope and it says today is a good day for you to tell all. So alrighty then, all you mechanics and technicians out there or anyone else for that matter, let’s hear your superstitions. If you don’t have one then let’s hear about the guy in the next service bay. (That way we won’t know … it’s actually you.)

 

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I"ve used the tech for years, and am looking at getting the MDI, but haven't yet. I've noticed I do get a few 2013's in and the Tech 2 doesn't cover all the various models from GM. So, more than likely I'll have to go for the MDI soon.

 

I have lots of aftermarket scanners and a few that are being BETA tested. At the present I haven't run across any aftermarket scanners that have the full range as a dedicated manufacturer scanner. Some come close, but not quite.

 

Pass thru devices work, but there are holes in the coverage. When it comes to programming I'll stick with the manufacturer scanners. (Sorry J2534 --- ya let me down more than once.)

 

BIAS control for me, is real important. The more systems I can trip on or off while testing can speed up the diag. time. There again, the factory scanners got that covered. But, I'm seeing more and more of these capabilities added to aftermarket scanners.

Reverse Opposites

Lots of cars come into a repair shop for one specific problem, but before the car is even in the service bay the customer will say, “Since you (or the short version, “Sinchya”) have the car here, could you do “XXX” repair too?” Sometimes it might be a related problem, but most of the time it’s something far removed from the original issue. Now, unexcitingly, the mechanic has to reverse gears and setup to look at this “By the way” issue. It is almost always completely opposite from the original problem, requiring totally different tools and testing methods.

For instance, the car may come in for a routine brake job, but they’ll ask, “Sinchya got it here, could you take a look at the rear speakers that are making a load crackling sound when the radio is turned up full blast.” Or, when a customer asks if they could swing by so you can fix their power outlet while they run a few errands. You’re busy, but you slide it in between jobs. Just about the time you’re putting away the tools . . . the phone rings. It’s the car owner, “By the way, could you look at the emergency brake while you got it there?”

The mechanic answers, “No problem sir.” Although the car that’s on the lift either has to be finished or moved off, so he can get his up in the air, and of course… he’s in a hurry. Ya just never know what that “Sinchya” or “By the way” might turn out to be. I can’t imagine somebody asking their doctor to add some other procedure, while they’re in the surgery room and he’s just about to close up a delicate operation, but cars are different and most mechanics are used to the added work. That is, as long as the customer realizes adding more “Sinchya’s” also means additional costs.

These “Sinchya’s” work two ways, though. Every now and then a car comes in for one repair, and it’s the mechanic who finds something else wrong. Now the mechanic has to ask, “By the way, sinchya got it here we should take care of “XXX” problem too.”

Granted, bringing your car by for a quick wiper blade change only to find out there’s a hole in the radiator may not fit into your schedule, but what do you do? Deal with it and get it fixed, but it’s probably the opposite of what you had planned to do with your afternoon.

These reverse opposites can come in all kinds of forms too. Sometimes it’s the car that throws the curve ball into the game. Say, the car is in for a scheduled repair and the technician lowers the driver’s window, but the window track or cable is faulty. Or, let’s say you need the charging system checked, and as the mechanic makes the turn into the service bay the CV snaps. You might be saying, “Oh, that would never happen. You’re making that up.” You’d be wrong, because I’ve seen both. Now…to tell the customer all about this new... unrelated... and sometimes costly repair so they can drive the car home again. You know, “Sinchya you’re here and all…”

On the flip side of those situations there’s the ever present scenario when a customer picks up their car, and immediately calls back saying something that wasn’t a problem has now become a problem. It could be a major issue, or it could be as little as to why did somebody move the floor mat. Ya just never know. Let’s face it, mistakes happen on both sides of the service counter, and cars, new or old, can have some sort of failure lurking in the background just waiting for their chance to pop up.

Take the time a guy brought a car in and wanted to find out why his park lights kept blowing a fuse. He had already tore apart most everything inside of the car, as well as the trunk. The owner couldn’t find it, so it’s up to the repair shops now. The problem was found in no time, and just to be courteous the mechanic took it upon himself to reinstall all the trim as well as the center console at no additional charge to the customer. The customer picked up their car, paid the bill, and was off with a smile. Two weeks later, the same customer is back at the service counter. But, with a completely opposite attitude about his car and the service provided.

The headlights aren’t working now, and of course… it’s the mechanic’s fault. Then, just to make sure that everyone knew that it was all due to the mechanic’s inability to do his job, he added that when the mechanic reinstalled the console he trapped the driver’s seat belt under it. Talk about a complete opposite and reversal of attitudes! Sure mistakes happen, and it could be a result of the last work that was done, but seriously, there’s better ways of handling things, ya know.

My only question is, when the guy originally picked up the car did he not put his seat belt on, let alone avoided driving after dark for two weeks? If it was a problem at the time he picked the car up, why didn’t he just walk back up to the service counter and mention something about the seat belt then?

Or let’s take the scenario of a drivability test for example. The technician grabs the keys and heads out for a long stretch of open highway for a test drive. Within a mile or so those red lights start flashing in his rearview mirror. It looks like the state trooper wants to talk to the mechanic.

The officer walks up to the driver’s window and says, “Did you know your tag has expired? In fact it’s been expired for over two years.” Now seriously, mechanics have to test drive cars all the time and seldom does he/she ever think about whether the tag is up to date.

Considering the fact the customer just drove it up to the shop why would you even assume it wasn’t legal for the road? Mind you, if it’s some sort of car that’s been in moth balls for years, there’s a good chance you might take a gander at the license plate. But, do ya think anything was ever a mentioned to the service writer that the car didn’t have a current tag? Probably not. This is one of those times when the mechanic wishes the reverse would have happened. You know, let the customer get pulled over instead. But, luckily opposites do attract as they say. The customer called the next day and said they just got pulled over too. He thought it was funny, I thought the opposite.

 

Complaints and problems can come from any direction and from anyone that’s involved. The lack of information and the lack of understanding of how problems crop up are all part of this job. Now, if somebody could ever figure out a way to reverse the opposites before the opposites become the reverse of progress... let me know.

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OMG! ! IT"S HAPPENED AGAIN. So... bringing this story out for a second run!

Owned and worked hundreds of those old air cooled bugs. I also had a type 34 for years

Cars with Baggage

What kind of driver comes to mind when someone mentions a car by name? Say, a little sporty run about, a 4WD monster truck, or maybe a fuel saving hybrid? Most people will have their own subconscious picture of what the driver may look or act like. Of course, the mechanics who service these fuel sucking pavement pounders have their own opinions of the various styles and configurations of cars, as well as their drivers. In some cases, a completely different view than the average guy on the street, and not necessarily for styling or mechanical reasons, either.

Ask an owner of a Jaguar what they think of their car, and they’ll likely tell you how smooth it handles, or how it rides down the road, or the purr of the motor. One customer told me what he loved the most about his XJ6 was the sound the door latch made. But, ask any mechanic with an RO handed to him that says, “Replace both rear in-board rotors”, and I’m pretty sure you’ll see an Elvis lip snarl start to curl, and probably a few indignant words for the engineers who designed it. Whether or not the impressions of the styling or the mechanicals is your bag, somebody else may have a different opinion than you.

Of course, there are the ever present egotistical impressions the mechanic and the consumer will have for certain breeds of cars and their owners. For example, “What is your first impression of the vehicle and its driver when someone mentions an air cooled VW bus from the 60’s or 70’s?” Did you think bank president or perhaps a police officer? Probably not. More than likely you had visions of tie dyed t-shirts, Woodstock, and some odd smelling smoke billowing out of the driver’s window. Now, ask the same question to a mechanic. Most mechanics will probably think of all the typical types of repairs needed. Some may think of how the engine comes out, others may recall how ridiculously underpowered these rolling billboards were, and how most of them needed a good downhill run (without any cross winds) to get up to speed. (Disclaimer: I used to own a ’74 VW camper van, affectionately named “Pumpkin”. Yeah, it was orange).

No doubt there are a lot of cars out there that have their own quirks and guffaws, but have truly become a part of our cultural history. The Yugo for one (and a few others) has such a line of baggage associated with it that it’s hard for anyone to think there might still be something good to say about them. Of course opinions vary, but the Yugo jokes seem to last longer than the car did. One of my favorites: A Yugo owner walks up to the parts counter and asked, “I’d like to get a new starter for my Yugo.” The parts guy says, “Sounds like a fair trade to me.”

Sometimes that extra baggage or quirky impression associated with a certain model or car can have a lasting effect on your childhood as well. The old “punch bug” game for example, made a lot of our family trips rather entertaining. Well, maybe not so much for my little brother. Ah yes, out on the open highway in the family car bashing your little brother in the arm. I’m sure that left an impression.

Advertising and public opinion have just as much to do with all of this, as well as the actual manufacturing and longevity of some of these cars. If you drive a hybrid or electric car you’re more than likely labeled as a “tree hugger” or, if you drive an SUV you must be one of those “soccer moms”. It’s all a matter of how or what is associated with the various models. However, some of these associated baggage guffaws started before the first car ever rolled off the assembly line. You have to wonder sometimes what those executives were thinking to even consider putting some of these cars together. And, for some cars, it earmarked them for eternity. Think “Edsel”, and what comes to mind?

Several years ago I had a regular customer who dreamed of someday owning a new Cadillac. Well, he did it. He bought a brand new… Cimarron. From a mechanic’s stand point they were about the worst excuse for a luxury car ever made. Talk about a car that carried baggage! This was one car that reeked of bad manufacturing decisions. His dream car had so many problems it wasn’t long before he traded it in on a “real” Cadillac.

The impressions and baggage some of these models carry is well deserved, while others just got a bad reputation from bad publicity or rumor control central. The Corvair had its issues, but was it all that bad for the technology of the day? It’s surprising to think a car that was supposed to be so bad and so poorly designed, was still on the assembly line for over 10 years of production. Some people hated them, some scorn their very existence, while others collected them, drove them everywhere, and still do. In fact one aircraft engineer took the concept to the extreme. He designed a full size motor home with a Corvair powerplant. Not my idea of camping. Who would want to sleep on top of the gas and oil fumes coming from an overworked 6 cyl. air cooled engine. Baggage? I’m sure there are more than a few stories to tell about family vacations in that all aluminum house on wheels. Google it, you’ll be surprised.

For some people their car is an extension of their personality. Porsche and Corvette owners are typically associated with some sort of egotistical baggage when they get behind the wheel. I find that not always true, but at times even the most prudent owner of any car can show up at the repair shop with a chip on their shoulder. But, let’s turn this around a bit. Let’s say you drive a Rolls Royce and you pull alongside a rat rod lowered to the pavement with an overly aggressive exhaust blaring out the “pop-it-a-pop” cadence of a finely tuned small block. Would you roll down the window when the driver of the rat rod asks if you’ve got any Grey Poupon? The driver of the rat rod might be your new next door neighbor…ya just never know.

We all have some sort of baggage we carry around, and it seems some of the cars we drive have their own fair share of baggage, too. Right or wrong, everybody will have their opinion, and as we head deeper into the electronically controlled vehicle age, I’m sure they’ll be even more associated baggage attached to a car, or two. Good or bad, somebody will always have an opinion.

 

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The Basic Tools Have Changed

 

 

What would you do if tomorrow all your scanners and internet connections just completely stopped. Would you be able to perform your job? For some, it would be quite impossible to even begin the day, let alone make it to lunch time. As for your car, well that’s a different story all together. In some ways, yes, in others… not a chance.

 

 

If such a thing happened, you’d hear the senior mechanics shouting, “Ya gotta learn how to use the old basic tools! Otherwise you’ll have to rely on those confounded computers for everything!” These days nearly every repair requiring any sort of data has something to do with a computer, whether it’s for checking service codes or looking up specifications. I doubt too many shops rely on the old hard copy book anymore. But, that’s the catch to this modern world of auto repair. The basic tools of the trade have changed. Sure, the fundamentals are still the same, but the tools, those every day diagnostics tools and those basic every day jobs have changed.

 

 

I’m sure the next generation of techs would find it hard to imagine a time when a dwell meter and a timing light were on the top shelf of every mechanics tool box. Back in the day, they were the “go to” testing equipment. You couldn’t walk through a shop without seeing the flashing strobe of a timing light, and I’d hate to even guess how many hours I’ve spent under a hood with one. But, times have changed, and those basic tools have been replaced with microchips and sensors.

 

These days, in most of the trade schools the emphasis is on learning to read diagrams, use scanners, and doing the hands-on under the hood training. Which is all good, and well worth it. I doubt a lot of time is spent on learning how to use some of those out dated and antiquated tools of the trade . . . if at all. There’s only so much you can fit into the classroom time. The instructor will probably mention them, spend a quick minute or two on them, but it’s not a tool most of the new students will even use in their future. There’s no doubt the technology has changed, not only the basic tools, but the teaching methods as well.

 

Just the other day I ran across a post on Facebook from a young tech who was trying to solve a problem on an early 80’s car. He was thinking the problem had something to do with the O2 sensors, but his ever reliable scanner wasn’t able to read information on that old of a car. As he put it, “Without the scanner I’m lost.” He didn’t know how to check an O2 other than using that “confounded” computer. So instead, he passed the job onto another shop. Probably one those shops with a few old timers around who still knew how to check one.

 

I can picture the whole scenario. The young tech takes the car to one of those shops that have been around since the earth was flat, and some old gray haired tech steps up to the challenge. He’s probably that same guy in the far corner bay who listens to 60/70’s rock music in the background and relies on a volt/ohm for everything, all the while sharping his ever shortening test light to a fine point. But, that young tech watches intently as the old timer shows him how to check it with those “old” basic tools of trade.

 

What if a car from the 40’s or 50’s showed up at your shop? Would you know how to repair it? There’s not too many guys left around from the generation of magnetos and 6 volt systems, and those tools and testing methods are getting lost with each passing year. For me, I’ve learned most of what I know on those old systems from the old timers in my life. The whole point of this is, “Should the new up and coming techs know some of the old methods of testing?” Sure some of them, if not a brief description of how to use those tools from a few decades ago. There’s still quite a few of those cars out there.

 

To put it another way, not everything you learn in this business is out of a book or from a classroom. Some of it comes from being around those who have experienced it firsthand. That’s really how knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, and that includes the use of those basic tools of the trade.

 

But, in today’s fast moving and ever changing automotive repair market, learning some of the old school methods may sound important, but at the same time a lot of those old procedures and basic tools are practically useless. Some of the old methods and tools have been improved upon so much by modern technology that the original basic tool is almost unrecognizable in comparison to today’s version of the same tool or procedure.

 

For example: holding a long screwdriver up to your ear and listening for a loose rocker arm, or checking a misfire by dead heading each spark plug wire with a test light could be considered dangerous, if not entirely unacceptable practices now. Besides, with most of these new cars you can’t even get that close to everything.

So, a little note to the old guys: Someday a young tech might come up to you and ask about the tools of the trade that you used back in the day. Give them a little schooling on the ways it used to be done. They might ask you what a growler is, or how to use a timing light, or how to bubble balance a tire. Show them, teach them.

 

But, keep in mind you younger techs, one of these days you’ll be the old timer in the shop, and you’ll be the one showing the next new generation your version of the basic tools of the trade.

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Not really related... but I saw this on my FB page.... ridiculous...I guess it would work, but I'd bet you have a better chance of burning down the shop.

 

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/the-coolest-possible-way-to-clean-out-a-tdi-intake-manifold/

I am looking for someone to tell me if my shop did something wrong. I would prefer a technician who knows Hybrid Prius's. I am a 30 year tech but I know nothing about hybrids.

 

Here is the story:

Young man comes in for an oil change and tire rotation. We perform these services, wash and vacuum the car and off he goes. 30-40 minutes later we get a call from this young man saying his car won't go. He drove the car about 15-20 miles. So I have it towed in. The next morning I start the car right up. It ran great but I noticed the high voltage battery was at 1 bar. After reading Identifix I ran the car with the ac on high for a couple of hours. The battery stayed at 1 bar. I have the customer take the car and on the way home it charges fine. I recommended for him have the car checked and she was told that the only thing that can do that is leaving the key on.

 

Could this be possible?

 

He is looking for me to refund his $90 tow.

 

TYIA

I've never heard leaving the key on will cause the battery to go to one bar. What is more than likely happening is a connection problem. If you are referring to the gas engine not starting, I'd assume the 12v battery. If you are referring to the hybrid side, I'd lean towards a weak connection at one of the ... many ... batt. cell connections.

For the old timers around here, you've seen this story before. Ok Ok, got lazy this week... LOL didn't get anything worthwhile wrote down, but... this story kept me thinking of what the other repair shop did to fix the car. So, I thought I'd share it again.

Last week I got an email from a repair shop in Ohio that used this story as a way to fix their customers car. Almost identical situation.

Makes a guy smile from ear to ear thinking that a silly little story helped out a fellow repair shop.

 

awesome.

Shift Happens

Jo was a new customer referred by an old-time regular. Her little KIA had a transmission problem that seemed to be getting the best of the transmission shop. The story goes that the SUV was constantly in limp mode, and would never shift properly… ever. As it always seems to be the case when a simple problem can’t be solved simply, somebody started the diagnostics off in the wrong direction. Little did I know this was a simple problem…. But, as I see it, each and every type of diagnostic work that you do requires a certain step by step procedure that you must follow. Miss a step, or completely overlook a step, usually means you’re going to miss that simple problem all together. This was no exception.

From what information I could gather the person who diagnosed it at the transmission shop wasn’t the same person who installed it. So after the tech put the last bolt in the transmission, he set the car out front, and told the front office, “Got the transmission in that KIA.” The front office considered it done, and the call went out for Jo to pick it up. She didn’t make it around the block before she was back at the front counter in a “not-so” pleasant mood. You can just imagine the situation at the counter… not pleasant I’m sure. After some deliberation, and very little diagnostics the transmission shop came up with the conclusion that it must be a bad transmission. Luckily, Jo’s ride that had brought her there was still in the parking lot, so she left the KIA for them to re-do the whole job again.

A week later, it was supposedly done. This time a different tech had installed the second transmission. Unfortunately, he made the same mistake as the first tech. When Jo came to pick up her car the shop owner took her for a ride to be sure that the repairs were made to her satisfaction. It was a short drive… This time, the owner said he was going to pay for the transmission, and would even purchase one from the dealership just to be sure it wasn’t their mistake in rebuilding it. But even the dealer transmission failed to shift properly. The tranny shop was at a loss, they decided to make a few calls for some help, and that’s when my phone rang.

Now, I’m not one to diagnose anything over the phone. I just don’t think it’s a smart way of taking care of such problems, because you never quite know what you’re getting into. But the tranny shop owner sounded desperate, and now the repair costs were coming out of his pocket. From his frantic explanations of no codes, no shift, and no idea of the problem, he kind of put me on the spot … so … I suggested a computer. Heck, why not… ya’ changed the tranny 3 times for Pete’s sake, obviously that ain’t’ it. I probably shouldn’t have done that, but I think he wanted to try and save as much money as possible without resorting to taking it to another shop.

Well, a new TCM didn’t work either…. Now, the car is finally coming my way. Jo was a little unsure whether or not there was anyone out there who could find the problem, but her friend told her that it couldn’t hurt to let me see what I could do for her. I’ll give it a try.

When the car showed up at the shop I took it around the block once to verify the condition, and then put it up on the lift. While it was on the lift I decided to drop it into gear and check it against the scanner. To my surprise, it shifted perfectly. I’m not kidding… absolutely perfect. I dropped it back on the ground, and went for a ride again. I didn’t even make it around the first corner… stuck in limp mode just as it was before, this dang thing can’t pull itself out of a pot hole.

Back up on the lift, and wouldn’t ya know it, shifts perfectly… AGAIN! What’s the deal here? I did it several times, just so I could be sure of the results I was getting. After a few trips I checked the wiring to the transmission while it was on the ground. Oh, oh, the main ground to the TCM wasn’t there. How in the world was it there when it was in the air? AH HA! It’s moving the wire! Yes, it was moving the wire alright, and a few more than just the TCM ground lead. The locator page showed the TCM ground wire was bundled with several other ground leads that were all attached to the main chassis ground… which wasn’t attached to a thing, but was dangling by the battery box.

Turns out the whole problem started when she had her battery changed at a department store repair shop, and they didn’t have the right size to fit the car. They disconnected the chassis ground wire, so the taller battery would fit.

When I told Jo what I found, the two of us pieced together the how and why it happened. Her only comment was, “Well, shift happens”.

All said and done with, the transmission shop paid for the entire repair, and gave her back what she spent with them. Everyone involved was glad to have the problem solved, and the car back on the road as good as new. I like this gal, she’s become a regular at the shop these days. What a card! Always has some sarcastic comment for me, but at the same time a very understanding nature and takes life in stride. I’d love to have a couple of dozen customers just like her.

As she always tells me… “If you can’t live on the bright side of life… start polishing the dull one.”

 

 

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Gonzo, what can I can...you never cease to amaze me. I am going to sound like a broken record, but this is one great article!

 

Thanks for the continued contributions to ASO.

 

Saturday's with Gonzo! Amazing!

Thanks Joe, much appreciated

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Took a ride in my first stop/start car. weird.... this one actually spun the starter motor as soon as your foot was off the brake. But, if you had the steering wheel at more than a few degrees either way it would not shut the engine off.

Anticipated Questions

With all this new technology such as self-driving cars, stop-start vehicles, automatic braking systems, crash avoidance systems, and assisted parking systems, there’s bound to be a few questions and complaints. The car of today can practically think for itself, make decisions, and is aware of its surroundings. They’re programmed to perform their tasks to the best of their abilities, even if we mere humans don’t have a clue what’s going on inside those computer chips.

As with anything new and different, there’s a learning curve for the consumer as well as the technicians. It’s hard enough for the technician to wrap his head around the fact that a car can do things you wouldn’t even dream of years before. Now the consumer has to try and explain some weird goings on to the mechanic. Obviously, the technician will have to understand the inner workings of these technologically advanced systems long before the first car rolls in the service bay. So, as a mechanic/technician you have to keep in mind, once these systems hit the pavement there’s bound to be some issues.

So, to speed things along I thought I’d put together some of the more interesting questions, complaints, and conversations I’ve overheard. Even though these questions and answers are purely fictional they could happen… ya just never know. Considering the years I’ve spent listening to the wacky things people have told me at the service desk I’ll bet I’m not too far off.

Caller: “I told the car to take me to the donut shop but instead it took me to the gym.”

Mechanic: “The passenger presence system was activated. Based on your weight and height infrared readings, your car determined you needed to go to the gym more than you needed to go to the donut shop.”

Caller: “I was trying to give my neighbor a hand by pushing his car out of the street with my car. But, as soon as I got close to his car my brakes locked on and wouldn’t allow me to push his car with my bumper.”

Mechanic: “Sir, your car was protecting itself. The computer system is more concerned with maintaining the integrity of itself than moving an obstruction off the highway.”

Caller: “I just bought this car and the salesman said it has stop/start technology. The first time I tried it the car ran right into a tree. I thought it would stop, and quite frankly... it hasn’t started since I hit the tree either.”

Mechanic: “Sir, that feature is to conserve gas at stoplights. Try keeping it on the road next time.”

Patient: “Doctor, I’m finding myself very aggravated and fidgety these days. I’m constantly badgering my co-workers and my family. I just can’t seem to calm down. What’s wrong with me?”

Doctor: “Did you recently purchase a self-driving car?”

Patient: “Why yes I did. Oh it’s great, because I can put my makeup on and check my email while I’m on the way to work. But, the car will only do the speed limit, it won’t crawl up on the bumper of that slow guy in the left lane, it won’t lurch out into traffic anticipating the green light or go through yellows. Is the car causing my problem?”

Doctor: “You are going through aggressive driver’s withdrawal. I would advise you to take up oval track racing as a hobby. This should alleviate your stress level.”

Caller: “The other day I was fooling around with the A/C cranked up to max. It was really cold, just the way I like it. It was cold outside too, so as I was driving along I rolled down all the windows. Just then the air conditioning stopped blowing as much cold air as before.”

Mechanic: “Ya can’t have both, the processor knows the windows are down, it knows the temperature, and it knows you don’t need the A/C on... nuff said.”

Caller: “I’ve got one of those self-drive cars that I was towing behind my motor home, but I was in an accident the other day. I turned on the cruise control in my motor home and went back to fix myself a sandwich. The next thing I knew I was in a ditch.”

Mechanic: “Your motor home isn’t equipped with the self-drive system only your car is. The car can’t do anything for the motor home just because you’ve got them connected.”

Caller: “I was towing a trailer last week and when I tried to back up the beepers were going off and the car wouldn’t budge. It’s like the brake was on. What’s wrong?”

Mechanic: “Ma’am your car is equipped with a rear crash avoidance system and area obstruction brake sensing unit. You need to turn those features off when towing.”

Caller: “My car asked me a question about my destination, so I answered. Ok, I was a bit upset at the time and I swore at it. How come it doesn’t understand what I want when I’m aggravated?”

Mechanic: “I have trouble understanding most people when they’re aggravated too.”

Caller: “Ok, now what do I do? My self-parking car did a fantastic job of getting me into this parallel parking spot, but now I can’t figure out how to get out of it.”

Mechanic: “You’ll need to learn to drive your car. The system can only do so much for you. If not, try avoiding any of these newer cars for the next few years. By then they’ll have the technology to get you out of your predicament.”

Caller: “My automatic dimming rear view mirror is always too dark in the daytime. How come?”

Mechanic: “Your pike pass is covering the optic sensor. Try moving it to a new location.”

Caller: “I just bought this car and the radio is muted all the time.”

Mechanic: “Put your seat belt on.”

Caller: “I don’t like wearing a seat belt.”

Mechanic: “Then sing to yourself.”

Caller: “My buddy told me the best way to check my transmission is to hold my foot on the brake and stomp on the gas pedal. But the engine won’t rev up, and the service light is flashing...what’s wrong?”

Mechanic: “I scanned your car and the code refers to abusive drive train usage by the operator. Your car is telling me it doesn’t like the way it’s being treated. You’re lucky the auto ejection seat and electric Taser system hasn’t been installed on this model yet.”

Bank Robber: “Yes judge, I robbed the bank. But, how did you guys know it so fast? And, how come my car wouldn’t go over 30 miles an hour, locked all the doors, and then drove me to the police station where it stopped right at the front door. I was trying to get away, and ya caught me red handed.”

Judge: “Your car told us. The surveillance cameras at the bank got your tag number. We then got into the car’s satellite communication through the telematics systems. After listening to your conversation with your navigation system we knew we had ya. So, we took control of your car and guided it in to the precinct with the GPS. Besides, it’s not a good idea to name your destination as the “hideout” on your nav. screen.”

Ok, I made all this up. But it’s true that today’s cars are far more than transportation. It’s an all seeing, all knowing, microcosm world of technology. Ya just can’t do what you used to do. The car will know, and it’s going to tell on you. It’s a different world out there on the open highway than it has ever been in the past, and these changes go a lot further than just the blacktop. So as the world changes so does the modern day auto mechanic change too meet the demand of this new technology. Even if none of these anticipated questions ever come about, there’s no doubt auto repair will never...ever be the same again.

 

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